“You look young!”
On a Saturday afternoon, I sat down on a chair at the entrance of a department store to rest my tired legs after shopping. At the entrance, two elderly women with silver hair sat next to me, talking. “Do you often come to this department store?” one woman asked. “No, the first time in three months. I used to come here for shopping every week when I was young. I am too old now,” said another woman. Then the woman nodded and asked, “I see. How old are you?” “I am 90 years old.” “Wow, you look so young! I am 88 years old.” “Oh, you look young too! I thought you were in your 70s.” Both were laughing and complimented each other on how youthful they are.
Not a compliment – Looking younger and healthier
Even with my eyes, they did look younger than the age they mentioned. I thought both were in their 70s because their facial skin looked rosy and plump. When leaving the place, they stood up without assistance and walked away. They were physically healthy, too.
Japanese people over 65 are getting healthier than before. According to the Japan Sports Agency’s report, Physical Fitness/Exercise Ability Survey in 2018, physical strength and athletic ability among Japanese aged 65 – 79 continue to improve. The two women were no exception in Japan. Elderly people in better health have a longer life expectancy.
Motivation for being healthy
The good healthcare system and nutrition consciousness in Japanese diets have contributed to the extended life expectancy after World War II. However, it is not just about the system and diets that have contributed to longevity in Japan. The mindset of the Japanese also drives them to make efforts to be healthy “not to bother people.”
In Japan, people pay attention to preventing bothering others. For example, in winter, people wear masks to prevent the spread of viruses when they cough. Another example is sound-covering systems that mask natural body sounds to avoid annoying others. Elderly people try to stay healthy so as not to be a burden on their family. A good death in Japan is dying suddenly, peacefully (“Pokkkuri Shinu”) after living long and healthy.
But aging is inevitable
Even if you stay healthy, aging is coming. Presbyopia and presbycusis are normal age-related problems. I started having trouble seeing at close range when I started using my smartphone a couple of years ago. My friends around my age wear glasses when they read papers. I almost shout to my relative, who is around 90 years old, when I talk to her loudly. Aging also causes our bodies to become stiffer and less flexible in movement.
Age-unfriendly products
Yet many products and services target young people in the Japanese market, not taking the elderly into account. Labels on packaged foods are too small to read. The lid of the soy sauce bottle is hard to open. Microwaves with lots of buttons are confusing. Elderly people try to use them but find they are unable to do what the young people do. “Well, I am too old…” they say, and walk away. A sale lost. Can we do anything to solve this?
Aging can be a global topic
Japan is at the forefront of an aging population, a trend seen in both developed and emerging countries. According to the WHO, between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population aged 60 and over will nearly double from 12% to 22%, and the pace of this demographic shift is accelerating.
People become healthier and look younger than their age because of medical treatment, healthy diets, and good habits. However, their efforts cannot overcome age-related changes and bodily problems.
The elderly in Japan do not shout to demand; opportunities are out there.